A barrister accused of murdering a man on a farm in Dublin has told the High Court he has no intention of leaving the country if he’s granted bail.

Diarmuid Phelan is accused of murdering Keith Conlon on his farm at Kiltalown Lane in Tallaght on February 22nd.

At the High Court today, he told Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy he had no intention whatsoever of leaving the jurisdiction.

He said he had lots of reasons for staying aside from his desire to clear his name – noting that his career and family depended on it.

Farm Shooting

Mr Phelan is accused of shooting Mr Conlon in the back of the head with a revolver shortly after he shot his dog with a rifle on his farm in Tallaght last month.

Both guns were legally held.

Following his arrest, Mr Phelan - a barrister and lecturer of law - admitted shooting the dog after discovering it, apparently alone, on his farm.

Pictured are Gardai at the scene on lands in Lugmore in the Mount Seskin area, where a man was seriously injured in a shooting on farmland outside Tallaght in Dublin at around 1pm this afternoon. He was taken to Tallaght University Hospital, where his condition is described as serious. It is believed he had been shot in the head. The scene has been preserved for a forensic examination. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

After he shot the dog, he said three men “exploded” out from a bush and started advancing towards him, “shouting and roaring”.

He said he retreated and shouted at them to stay back, but to no avail.

He claims he fired into the air because the men were advancing towards him and was then stunned to see one of the men fall to the ground.

The court heard it will be alleged that Mr Conlon and his friend had turned to run away before the final shot was fired.

Bail

Today, his barrister reminded the court that his client has a presumption of innocence and said that, if he’s not released on bail, his life’s work will be wiped out.

He described his client as a “law abiding citizen” who had no intention of fleeing – claiming he has a greater understanding of his obligation to meet court orders than 99.9% of the rest of the population.

“He stands for something,” he said. “He has achieved something over decades.”

The State is opposing his application. The judge will make her decision on Monday.